Man seriously injured in Norwich accident

Norwich — A man was seriously injured early this morning when the car he was driving struck a stone wall in the area of 348 West Thames St.

Police said shortly after midnight they received numerous 911 calls reporting the single-car accident.

When they arrived at the scene they found a black 2005 Mercedes Benz CLK500 with heavy damage. Members of East Great Plain Fire Department had to extricated the unidentified and lone occupant of the car.

Police said the man was initially taken to the William W. Backus Hospital and then subsequently flown by Life Star helicopter to Hartford Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.

Witnesses at the scene said the vehicle may have been traveling at a high rate of speed and passing vehicles on the left as it traveled northbound on West Thames Street. The vehicle collided with a stone retaining wall which caused the heavy damage.

Traffic on West Thames Street was diverted for more than an hour as officers investigated the crash.

Police said criminal and motor vehicle charges are anticipated against the driver of the car.

Anyone with information about this accident or any other incident is urged to contact the Norwich Police Department at (860) 886-5561.